We were very happy to be able to acquire a “new” old piece for the inn.  This monumental Eastlake sideboard from the 1890’s came to us in rather rough shape, but we’ve never seen another like.  The carved details are stunning.

Eastlake or “Cottage” design traces its origins to British architect and designer Charles Eastlake (1836–1906).  His designs were a reaction against the Rococo and Renaissance revival styles popular during the Victorian era.  Eastlake designs are characterized by a strong rectilinear form, geometric ornamentation, spindles, and lightly incised spoon-carved lines.  Eastlake’s influential book Hints on Household Taste in Furniture, Upholstery, and Other Details held that furniture should be sturdy, practical and easy to clean, with emphasis upon careful craftsmanship. Manufacturers in the United States used the drawings and ideas in Eastlake’s book to create mass-produced pieces in the Eastlake style.

Whereas British designers stayed true to Eastlake’s original principles of simplicity and functionality, American manufacturers took a much different path.  Much to Eastlake’s displeasure, they began mass producing pieces of increasing complexity and ornamentation, often incorporating elements of many different eras in a pastiche of styles.  These pieces, which at times ventured into gaudy excess, were very much in vogue among the well-to-do of the Gilded Age for whom ostentatious displays of status and wealth were considered the norm.

A great little side trip stop along highway 1 in Bucksport is the park containing the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Ft Knox.  The two attractions are a study in contrasts- built in 2006, the soaring, ultra modern bridge is touted as the tallest public bridge observatory in the world, towering 135 feet above the river below.  The observatory offers a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside stretching from the coast to the town of Bucksport.  The bridge’s neighbor, the stout and forebidding Ft Knox,  was Built in 1844, to protect the Penobscot River Valley from a potential British naval attack. The fort was designed by Chief Engineer Joseph Totten and other engineers, and was the first and largest granite fort built in Maine.  The fort never fired a shot in anger, but remains today as a superb example of milliary architecture.  The fort is open to explore, but beware-  it’s rumored to be among the most haunted spots in Maine!  We’re not sure about that, but the two attractions are worth a quick visit.

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The last storm that blew through really did a number on the trees, including these in Glen Mary Park down the street from us.  Thankfully, the inn came through unscathed!

It’s an old New England tradition that we just made up! Our parmesan crusted haddock breakfast has become a real hit. Shown here with sauteed spinach, scrambled eggs and lemon caper butter.

Avocado Toast with Bacon, Arugula, Tri-Color Tomatoes Vinaigrette and Basil Chiffonade.

Mt Desert Island’s popular shuttle bus, the Island Explorer, is back for the season! After running on a limited schedule last year, operations are now back in full swing. Most routes begin at the Village Green, just a short walk from the Mira Monte. The Explorer offers visitors the opportunity to stop at the most popular attractions in Acadia and Mt Desert Island without having to battle the island’s notorious summer traffic. For more information on the shuttle and schedules, click the following link: Island Explorer Shuttle

These little guys look innocent enough, maybe even cute in a caterpillar kind of way. You might even be tempted to pick one up and let it crawl around a bit. Be forewarned that if you do it will likely mean the beginning of weeks of misery. This is the caterpillar of the brown tail moth, an invasive species commonly seen in Maine in the spring and summer. In addition to devouring the leaves of local deciduous trees, the thing that makes these caterpillars so troublesome is that their hairs are filled with a toxin that can cause severe itching and pain similar to that of a poison ivy rash. The hairs can also become airborne and drop from trees onto unsuspecting travelers. Breathing the hairs can cause respiratory distress and require medical attention. Over the counter remedies such as hydrocortisone, diphenhydramine, and lidocaine offer some relief, but there is no cure for the caterpillar toxin and prevention is the best way to avoid the dreaded itch. Stay clear of the caterpillars and their nests which take the form of a tangled, tent-like web woven between the branches of trees and shrubs. Thankfully, caterpillar encounters and severe reactions to the caterpillar toxin are relatively rare and shouldn’t dissuade anyone from visiting Acadia this season. Due caution will help to ensure that your visit remains pleasant and itch-free.